It has only been a few short weeks since the start of the school year when U. City welcomed 85 new transfer students. Admittedly, parents and students were skeptical of taking in 34 students from Normandy and Riverview Gardens and the potential conflicts they might bring to the district. However, of those transfer students, there has been no sign of discrimination or problems, as it should be. Roaming the halls, you couldn’t tell the old from the new kids on the block.

In addition to the 34 Normandy and Riverview Gardens students, U. City also has 51 other students from schools such as: McCluer South- Berkeley, Cardinal Ritter, Confluence Academy and Fort Zumwalt. Although the process of making new friends and adapting to student life seems troubling, for the staff it can sometimes be chaotic.

“Honestly, a lot of them came during registration time, which was very hectic, so I didn’t really have a chance to talk to every student, but I made sure I welcomed them and told them to have a great school year, “ says registrar Ms. Murry.

Most concerning, perhaps, was the idea that 29 students from our rival school, Normandy, would soon be walking the halls side by side with us. In recent years, conflicts with the Normandy boys and girls basketball teams have turned violent. Last year, one of Normandy’s students hurled bricks at U. City’s basketball team bus and injured a varsity cheerleader. For a while, U. City students were furious, but as time went on, it died down.

“There’s no fear in me, I don’t care that they are here,” said Simone Clerk, the injured cheerleader. “I barely know who they are. They’re just kids from Normandy.”

Despite differences, students under any circumstances should have the opportunity to receive education. If it takes welcoming transfer students from unaccredited schools, then why not bring them here? Every school needs a little diversity, something to make the school stand out. Between our variety of classes, clubs and athletics, there’s a place for all incoming students.

“Joining the softball team helped me gain friends and being class president helped me focus more on school and wanting to better myself,” said Lilian Getachew, a junior transfer student from Texas.